2023 Achievement in Community Engagement (ACE) Awards Opportunity Announced

Application Deadline: 12pm, Monday, June 5, 2023

SALEM - The Citizen Involvement Advisory Committee (CIAC) of the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD or department) is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for the 2023 Achievement in Community Engagement (ACE) awards to recognize excellence in community engagement. 

Eligibility. Projects must have completed at least one phase of public outreach, which ideally has been assessed and evaluated.

Application and Deadline. Competitive applications will demonstrate community engagement projects that:

• Are intentionally designed to engage a diverse public including community members who have not traditionally been part of the decision making process;
• Include community engagement objectives and a community engagement plan;
• Are innovative;
• Make creative use of available resources;
• Build sustainable partnerships to maximize long-term community success;
• Communicate clearly throughout the project;
• Provide feedback to participating citizens on how their input was incorporated; and
• Assess and evaluate methods to improve future community engagement processes.

ACE Award recipients will be recognized in a public awards presentation, at a Land Conservation and Development Commission meeting, on the DLCD website, and with a DLCD press release. Project partners, including participating tribes and community-based organizations will also be recognized for their contributions.

To be considered, applicants must use the online application process, available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2023_ACE_Award. Applications are due by noon, Monday, June 5, 2023. If you have questions, please contact department staff.

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Oregon’s statewide land use planning program — originated in 1973 under Senate Bill 100 — protects farm and forest lands, conserves natural resources, promotes livable communities, facilitates orderly and efficient development, helps coordination among local governments, and enables citizen involvement.   The program affords all Oregonians predictability and sustainability to the development process by allocating land for industrial, commercial and housing development, as well as transportation and agriculture.   The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) administers the program. A seven-member volunteer citizen board known as the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) guides DLCD.   Under the program, all cities and counties have adopted comprehensive plans that meet mandatory state standards. The standards are 19 Statewide Planning Goals that deal with land use, development, housing, transportation, and conservation of natural resources. Periodic review of plans and technical assistance in the form of grants to local jurisdictions are key elements of the program.

About the CIAC. The CIAC is a statewide committee authorized under ORS 197.160. The committee is charged with ensuring implementation of Goal 1 (Citizen Involvement) of Oregon’s statewide planning goals. Since the adoption of Oregon’s statewide land use planning program, the CIAC has been instrumental in providing guidance to the state’s 242 cities and 36 counties on how best to involve their citizens in the development and adoption of comprehensive plans. Now that all Oregon jurisdictions have comprehensive plans in place, the CIAC mainly works to highlight best practices, and serves as a resource to local jurisdictions and DLCD staff.